1. Ready for the Real World! Garden City High School’s Buff Project: Expecting the Best

2. Why have a Senior Project? It teaches responsibility. Real world skills (research, writing, speaking, time management) are emphasized. It keeps senioritis in check. The school board said we had to have one!

3. How did we start? 1 st Formed a committee. 2 nd Called in an expert: Careen Oscher from Far West Edge, Medford, Oregon 3 rd Adapted materials to our needs 4 th Piloted in Senior English class.

4. What are the components? Paper Product Portfolio Presentation

5. Paper Criteria 5 sources (at least one primary) 1500 words (5-7 pages) MLA format Shows the process of writing --note cards, outline, drafts, editing, etc.

6. Product Criteria A Learning Stretch that can be: Experiential Performance- based Experimental

7. Examples: Teaching the Vietnamese alphabet

8. Making a quilt

9. Illustrating a children’s book

10. Getting a brown belt in karate

11. Cooking, decorating, silversmithing

12. Learning to play an instrument

13. Portfolio Criteria Product Log Letter of Intent Mentor Checklist Photos, Sketches, Drafts Daily Points Speech Outline

14. Presentation Criteria 8-10 minutes Use of Visual Aid & PowerPoint Discuss both Paper and Product Question and Answer

15. How are those outside GCHS involved? Mentors Judges Paid Readers Parents

16. How are those inside GCHS involved? Evaluation Teams Judges Mentors Buff Teachers

17. People you need Buff Project Coordinator Community Liaison Advisory Board

18. Successes Raising money for various charities: cystic fibrosis Volunteering for the Red Cross, Salvation Army, Homeless shelters Teaching younger children skills: Project Effort

19. Teaching Responsibility Letter of Intent Deadlines Working with a mentor Graduation Requirement

20. What do I think about Senior Projects? It prepares our students for the real world in a way academic classes can’t. It lets them have success in their own choices. It involves the entire faculty with our Seniors. It lets the community see what our graduates can do. It is an antibiotic for senioritis. It is worth the time, the planning, and the effort.

21. Any questions?